Reviewing family SUVs for comfort and space

Start with the cabin, not the badge

It is easy to be swayed by a sharp-looking family SUV, but the cabin is where you will spend your time. Before you look at anything else, set the driver's seat to your normal position and then sit directly behind it. That is the only legroom figure that matters — a car with an apparently generous rear bench can leave a tall teenager cramped once a six-foot driver is comfortable.

Check the details that make everyday family life easier:

• How wide the rear doors open, and whether the aperture is tall enough to lift a child seat in without contortions.
• The number and position of ISOFIX points — three across the back is far more useful than two.
• Whether the floor is flat in the middle, because a central hump turns the middle seat into a punishment for adults.
• Headroom beneath a panoramic roof, which can quietly steal several centimetres.

Measure the width, too. Most UK parking bays are around 2.4 metres, and a car approaching 1.9 metres wide with the mirrors out will feel enormous in a multi-storey. A tight turning circle matters just as much on narrow school-run streets.

Boot space: read the numbers sceptically

Boot volume is quoted in litres, but those figures are measured in different ways and rarely reflect a real load. The number that counts is the seats-up figure with the parcel shelf in place — that is your weekly shop, your pushchair, or the dog. Ignore the seats-down figure; it flatters almost every car.

Take your own kit to the viewing. A folded pram, a large dog crate, or a full set of holiday suitcases will tell you more in five minutes than any specification sheet.

• Load lip height: a low, flat lip makes lifting heavy items far easier on your back.
• Underfloor storage: ideal for hiding charging cables, tools or wet boots.
• Tailgate height: check it opens fully inside your garage or under a low car park barrier.
• Seat splits: a 40/20/40 split gives considerably more flexibility than the common 60/40.
• Sliding rear bench: lets you trade passenger legroom for luggage space at will, which is genuinely useful on holiday.

Running costs: the figures that add up

Depreciation is usually the single biggest cost of family SUV ownership, and it is the one most buyers overlook. A car that loses half its value in three years will cost you far more than the difference between two fuel types. Look at how well similar models hold their value before you fall in love with a particular one.

Beyond that, work through the ongoing bills:

• Fuel: official economy figures are optimistic. Short, cold town journeys will never match them, and repeated short trips in a diesel can clog the particulate filter — an expensive repair. Hybrids tend to shine in stop-start traffic.
• Road tax: rates vary considerably by age and emissions, so check the exact figure for the car you are viewing rather than assuming.
• Insurance: larger, more powerful SUVs often sit in higher groups. Get a quote before you commit.
• Tyres: 19- and 20-inch tyres cost noticeably more and wear faster than smaller ones. Four replacements can be a four-figure shock.
• Servicing: check the intervals and whether major items such as a cambelt or gearbox fluid change are due soon.

A simple habit: estimate pence per mile rather than pounds per month. It exposes the true cost of the car you are considering.

Comfort over distance

Family SUVs are often bought for the long trip to the grandparents or the annual holiday, so judge comfort on the motorway, not the forecourt. Large alloy wheels look smart but usually bring a firmer ride and more tyre roar. If a car offers adaptive suspension, that can be the difference between a relaxed and a tiring journey.

Sit in the back yourself. Check that the seat base is long enough to support adult thighs, that there are air vents and charging points, and that the backrest reclines. Up front, look for adjustable lumbar support and a proper centre armrest. Finally, assess visibility — thick pillars and high waistlines can make tight junctions and car parks harder work than they need to be.

Reliability and resale value

When you plan to keep a car for years, choose a proven engine and gearbox combination over the newest technology. A well-established drivetrain with a strong reputation is worth more to you than an extra badge or a clever feature you will use twice.

Ask to see the full service history, and check that the mileage is consistent across the records, the MOT certificates and the condition of the interior. Suspension bushes, dual-mass flywheels and brake discs are common wear items on heavier SUVs, and air suspension can be very costly to repair if fitted.

On resale, mid-range trims in popular colours generally hold value better than the cheapest or most lavishly optioned versions. A sunroof or a reversing camera may help; a rare paint colour may not. Buy sensibly now and you will be rewarded when you come to sell.

A test drive that actually tests it

Twenty minutes around the block tells you almost nothing. Arrange a longer drive and treat it as a rehearsal for real life:

• Fit your own child seats and check the buckle access.
• Load the boot with your pram, dog crate or suitcases, then close the tailgate.
• Drive a stretch of motorway to judge noise, seat support and stability.
• Park it in a tight bay and reverse into a space using the mirrors and camera.
• Try a speed bump and a rough patch of road to assess the ride.
• Ask to see it from cold, so you hear the engine start as it will on a winter morning.

Take your time, involve the people who will travel in it, and buy on evidence rather than enthusiasm. The right family SUV is the one that still feels easy and comfortable after the novelty has worn off — and that, more than any brochure figure, is what makes it worth the money.